Riding Solo

If you could travel to any place in the world all by yourself, where would you go? When you’re a first-time solo traveler, the concept of traveling alone might sound frightening. But later on, you’ll find out that exploring places on your own will do you good. While it’s a fact that traveling to a foreign destination requires a certain level of preparation, your vacation shouldn’t be all about guided tours and planned travel activities because that could quickly get tedious and boring. In fact, breaking a few rules should be your motto for this kind of trip. It is never too late to awaken your thirst for adventure. Who knows, maybe the idea of solo backpacking could become your best experience yet.

Meet New PeopleMajority of the people who travel solo are women mainly because they want to feel inspired and motivated as they take a break from any work-related dramas and emotional stress. If you’re an amateur at traveling alone, simple interactions can pose a challenge and a language barrier is a common scenario. You should at least learn the basics. You can easily download a language translator application, such as Say Hi! on your phone that can easily assist. First-time travelers prefer going to Europe for vacation because of how most countries are considered hospitable and warm to the tourists. France seems to be one of the go-to places for travelers because of its impressive food selection and scenic tourist spots. Spain has also become quite the ideal destination lately and in fact, it has been ranked as the most tourist-friendly country for the year 2015.

Be IndependentBeing independent means you’re in-charge of whatever you want to do. Learning a new skill or trying out a couple of physically stimulating activities are some of the few things you can sign up for. One of the most popular tourist destinations that first-time travelers tend to visit is in Santorini (or one of the Greek Islands) because it’s known for its beautiful landscape and majestic beaches. Although some locals cannot communicate in English, you’ll always feel the friendly vibe and their willingness to help as you try to look around for places to go like the famous restaurants, wineries around Oia or even boat tour suggestions where you can watch and enjoy the gorgeous sunset. Experienced solo travelers suggest that you seek the help of group forums or any reliable travel website months before embarking on your solo journey. Book your flight ahead of time so you can take advantage of the ticket discounts. In choosing your accommodation, rent a villa or hotel that offer great incentives so that you’ll never have to worry about spending more than what you actually brought for the trip.

Enjoy Some Alone TimeIf you’re in need of a calm and relaxed environment, look for places that aren’t located on the center of the city and avoid places with a thriving nightlife and unnecessary noise. If you’re looking for spiritual destinations, you can visit some sacred sites in Asia such as the Batu Caves in Malaysia or the Meiji Shrine located in Shibuya, Tokyo. No matter what age you are, you should make time to travel to an unfamiliar location to do a little soul searching. While scouring for the perfect place, you’ll be more in tune with your thoughts and actions. Being open to these experiences can broaden your knowledge and perception towards understanding other people’s religion and way of life.

Learn A Lot One of the most eventful and interesting places you can visit is Italy, which is known for its rich culture. While you’re there, you can explore famous architectural sites such as the Colosseum, Pompeii and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If you want a more romantic ambiance, you can visit the Grand Canal in Venice, which is known among couples and tourists. Whether you’d like to stay in a small village in Tuscany or get lost in the Italian Riviera, it is guaranteed to be a life-changing event for you.